I've just came back from the demonstration outside Abdul-Hadi Al-Khawaja's court session today. Things got slightly out of hand this time. The supporters were not allowed to go in to the building. Tempers were raised, pushes turned to shoves, sticks and stones were thrown, and the goons (read "riot police") came out and sprayed the crowd with mace. The crowd dispersed and then came back even angrier than before with sticks and rocks in their hands, but the community elders finally managed to calm them down before any damage was done. Somehow there were no injuries on either side, thankfully (but my eyes, nose and throat are still slightly stinging from that damned mace). Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened inside the courtroom, but I'll try and find out.

That was a summary, and I'll have a full write-up for you later this evening. In the meanwhile have a look at some of the photos I took (more to come later).

This entry was posted
on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 10/20/2004 01:02:00 pm. Permalink

10 Responses to 'Rocks fly at court demonstration'

Where the supporters not allowed in because the court room was full or was it a closed court? Did any of the people doing the pushing, shoving and rock throwing experiance the sound of "click click" ie HANDCUFFS?

These are important questions that will help explain if the actions by the goon squad was heavy handed or not.

Judges in the US can and will close a court session to the public IF the people viewing the session do not behave themselves.

It is in Arabic, and I don't assume that all of your readers can understand it.

It seems like these pictures are making the rounds on the net. Also, the signs look very very familiar. Clearly they seem very well organized and it probably wouldn't be too difficult to find out when the next gathering will be.

Hey folks, sorry for taking so long to post my full report. I've been a bit busy today, and my day has still not ended. But I promise to write the report and upload the pictures before going to bed tonight.

In the meanwhile check the links that commenters have posted above from montadayat and elsewhere. And read the AP report via the Guardian. Sorry again for the delay.